Online Engineering Schools in Indiana

Indiana is an excellent springboard for a career in engineering. The state not only has abundant opportunities in the varied subfields of the discipline, but it’s also home to a handful of nationally-ranked engineering programs, including those at the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University.

Projections Central reported that in-state employment for many engineering specializations was expected to grow substantially. It predicted that between 2014 and 2024, civil engineering positions in Indiana would swell 14 percent, adding 410 new jobs; mechanical engineering was expected to have 13.3 percent growth (1,420 new jobs), and for industrial engineering, it was 12 percent (970 new jobs) during that same decade.

These projections are similar to national figures. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS Oct. 2016) reported that many engineering subfields were expected to grow across the country; for example, environmental engineering positions were slated to increase 12.4 percent between 2014 and 2024, while positions in biomedical engineering were predicted to grow 23.1 percent in the same timeframe. Notably, both the state-based and national figures were more robust than the average growth predicted across all U.S. occupations in that decade (6.5 percent).

And while the work of an engineer can be arduous, the career generally carries a competitive salary. By illustration, the BLS (May 2016) found that the average annual salary for all engineering and architectural professionals in Indiana was $70,160, while those in some subfields, such as chemical engineering, earned an average of $91,330. Compensation for engineering professionals was well above the average wage for all positions in Indiana ($42,940).

Finally, in addition to growing job prospects and the promise of a competitive salary, engineers in Indiana can benefit from the wide array of professional societies that operate in the state. For example, the following organizations, among others, provide advocacy, continuing education, and a regular calendar of events for professional members:

Prior to seeking employment, all engineers typically complete at least an undergraduate degree. And while on-campus options remain popular, a growing pool of students is choosing to enroll in online degree programs, as they provide a high-quality education while allowing a relatively flexible schedule.

This guide highlights online engineering programs in Indiana, exceptional professors, and details about the application process.

Featured Online Engineering Programs
ECPI University	Electronics Engineering Technology (Bachelor's)	Visit Site
ECPI University	Mechanical Engineering Technology (Associate's)	Visit Site
ECPI University	Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor's)	Visit Site
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)	Online MSE - Engineering Management	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Electrical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Mechanical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
University of Southern Indiana	Online MBA - Engineering Management	Visit Site
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Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering in Indiana

A bachelor’s degree in engineering is generally necessary prior to securing employment in this field. Along with the wide array of on-campus degree programs, here are two online engineering degrees from an Indiana-based university:

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology – Indiana State University

Indiana State University offers an online bachelor of science (B.S.) in electronics engineering technology, which includes coursework in basic technical areas, foundational studies, management, mathematics and computer science, and specialized technology. The program is designed specifically for transfer students, and requires 80 credit-hours of coursework in order to graduate. Tuition is set at $4,358 per semester for students who are taking between 12 and 18 credits, although rates may vary depending on individual circumstances.

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology – Indiana State University

In addition to the degree in electronics engineering technology, Indiana State University also offers an online bachelor of science (B.S.) in mechanical engineering technology, as well. Students take courses such as applied statistics, engineering analysis, fluid power technology, computer aided design, and engineering design and management, among others that focus on five specific areas of development: technology, communication, global responsibility, management and/or teamwork, and lifelong learning. Tuition for this program is also set at $4,358 for students taking between 12 and 18 credits.

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in Indiana

Completing a master’s degree in engineering, while not necessary to secure employment, may help engineers develop a deeper, specialized understanding in their field and set a person up for opportunities leadership or academia.

Master of Science in Industrial Engineering – Purdue University

Purdue University offers an online master of science (M.S.) in industrial engineering, which requires students to complete 30 credit-hours. The curriculum includes courses on human factors engineering, manufacturing systems engineering, production systems engineering, and operations research. Students can complete either a thesis or non-thesis option. Furthermore, the flexible nature of this program offers students the ability to take time off from their studies. Tuition for Indiana residents is set at $3,416 per three-credit-hour course, so the total program cost is $34,160, excluding additional fees.

Master of Science in Engineering Management – Indiana Institute of Technology

The Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne offers an online master of science (M.S.) in engineering management. This 36-credit-hour program covers courses on enterprise resource planning, environmental health and safety, designing for lean manufacturing, legal implications for engineering managers, and statistical methods in quality assurance, among others. Although the classes do have specific start dates, students are not required to be logged in at any particular time, and can maintain a flexible schedule. Tuition is set at $546 per credit, making the total cost of this program $19,656, not including additional fees.

Other Online Engineering Programs in Indiana

Finally, a number of other engineering programs such as graduate certificates can supplement one’s education and be completed online:

Certificate in Applied Heat Transfer – Purdue University

In addition to excellent master’s degree programs, Purdue University offers an online certificate in applied heat transfer, which is offered through the School of Engineering. This 12-credit-hour program requires students to take a course on intermediate heat transfer, heat transfer in electronic systems, numerical methods in heat and mass transfer, and a number of other electives. Tuition for the program is $14,784, not including additional fees.

Certificate in Noise Control – Purdue University

Purdue University also offers a certificate in noise control, which is designed for students to enhance their understanding of noise control engineering processes and technologies and their applications in the industry. This 12-credit-hour program also costs $14,784, and includes courses on engineering acoustics, mechanical vibrations, vibrations of discrete systems, fourier methods in digital signal processing, and structural acoustics, along with a number of electives. Please note that this program is only offered to off-campus students.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

Prospective applicants should answer a number of questions regarding their programs of choice before beginning the application process, which include:

What is the total cost of the program?
Does the program require the students to visit the campus or attend lectures?
Can students attend the program part-time?
Can practical experience credits be completed in the student’s home community?
Will the program assist the students with job placement after graduation?
Where have past graduates gone on to work?

Furthermore, prospective applicants are also advised to search for programs that are accredited and are authorized to operate in one’s state of residence.

Accreditation

The importance of applying to an accredited program cannot be overstated. Many employers only consider job applicants who have graduated from an accredited program. Also, students may need to show proof of their program’s accreditation to qualify for financial aid.

It’s important to note that not all accreditation organizations are reputable. Instead, applicants should search for programs accredited by organizations that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The following includes a list of CHEA-recognized accrediting organizations operating in Indiana broken down by level:

National accreditation

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

Regional accreditation

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Programmatic accreditation

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

State Authorization

Searching for a program with authorization to offer education in one’s state of residence is imperative. While this isn’t a problem for students attending in-state online programs, it may present an issue if one’s program is located in another region. Fortunately, this information is often readily available on a program’s website (e.g., Purdue University). For programs which don’t have the state authorization page, prospective students should contact admissions offices to ensure eligibility prior to submitting an application.

Admissions Requirements

Not all online engineering programs have the same admission requirements, but they are typically similar across on-campus and online programs at the same degree level. For example, the bachelor of science program in electronics engineering technology at Indiana State University has the following admissions prerequisites:

Completed application and fee
An associate of science degree in electronics engineering technology or credit-hours towards a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Courses in foundational studies that are not offered via online learning at Indiana State University
A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all college level studies.

Other common admissions requirements include letters of recommendation, personal statements, test scores, and candidate interviews.

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